Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Emilia’s POV

Like a ray of sunlight piercing through the dense fog of darkness, I saw him. He was carrying me in his lap and my head was nestled close to his chest. From my position I couldn’t see his entire entire face; only his chin and lips.

Had I already died? My lips lifted in a weak smile as I spoke, “I don’t know if this is heaven or hell but I don’t mind as long as you are there.”

He lowered his head making his entire face visible to me. His eyes bore into mine; conveying the turmoil in his heart. Then like a soft petal grazing your skin, he placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I had surely died and he was probably the reincarnation of vision I had for a perfect life. With a soft sigh, I gave in to the darkness. I was content with that one kiss.

The noise of two people arguing pierced through my senses causing me to shift and groan. Did people fight even in heaven, hell, netherworld…. Ummm, wherever I was. I drew my arm over my ears. I wish they were quieter.

“Why hasn’t she woken up yet? It has been two days already!” I recognised that voice like a part of my soul. What I couldn’t fanthom was the anxiety and worry. He would never be worried; at least not about me.

“She is physically fine, Alpha Nivaan. She might wake up any time.”

“You keep telling me that same damn thing every single time! Are you sure you are doing your job properly?!”

“Alpha Nivaan…You might like to mind your tone. Don’t forget that I am not a part of your pack. I am here only for the sake of Luna Kiara.”

Their words rang in my ears like shrill piercing screeches. It was like someone was hammering my head from the inside. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I cried out, “Quiet!”

There was shuffling of footsteps and the next moment my hand was swathed in warmth. My heart skipped a beat as the familiar feeling of comfort cocooned me. I almost didn’t want to open my eyes. What if this was all a dream? What if it was someone else holding my hand?

“Emilia? Are you awake? Please say something…. I… just say something; even if it is just a word,” Nivaan’s agitated voice sounded clenching at my insides as if that anxiety was a part of me. I was filled with an intense urge to soothe him.

My eyelids flutterd and I finally opened my eyes. The blinding light forced me to close it shut almost immediately. I licked my dry lips and managed to utter a word, “Nivaan?”

“Oh… Emilia… What took you so long to wake up? I almost thought I had lost you…” his voice was thick with emotion.

A soft kiss was placed on my hand jolting me back to senses. My eyes blinked several times like the fluttering leaves in the wind. When they finally adjusted to the lighting, I saw the most enchanting sight in the world.

Nivaan was sitting by my side; my hand placed against his cheeks. His eyes held care, worry and concern for me. There seemed to be a undertone of love as well. I didn’t want to fool myself but my heart had already broken its wall and was fluttering like crazy.

His lips lifted in a weak smile, “How are you feeling now?”

My throat hurt from being parched for long. I managed to say one word, “Thirsty.”

He got up instantly but hesitated for a moment as if he didn’t want to release my hand. His lips pressed into thin line, his eyebrows furrowed. Then, abruptly he lowered his gaze and placed a kiss on the back of my hand.

My heart almost stopped beating. This time the evidence was undeniable. He had kissed me right in front of my eyes. I watched him as he filled a glass of water for me. Was this some sort of dream sequence? If it was, I didn’t want to wake up.

Nivaan adjusted the pillows behind me and propelled me to a sitting position. With a soft smile, he placed the cold glass close to my lips; holding it while I drank from it. This display of affection was driving me crazy; it was like my heart would burst any moment.

Bright light streamed in as the flap of the tent was pulled open. A woman dressed in black robes stood there, her eyes fixed on Nivaan. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders framing her pretty face. She looked quite pretty and I couldn’t stop my gaze from lingering.

“Nivaan Lovelock….” Her soft voice with a rich, velvety appeal sounded as she took a step inside.

The color drained from Nivaan’s face and his eyes flashed with a myriad of emotions. Just who was this woman. How could she affect him so much by just calling out his name.

Nivaan’s entire body became rigid and he looked into my eyes; as if refuting the voice he had just heard. His lips parted as if he was about to say something when the woman speak again, “Nivaan? Won’t you even look at me now?”

The little color left on his face trained and his chest heaved. His parted lips trembled, the lump on his throat bobbed as he clenched the fabric of his pants. His eyes closed as his chest heaved slowly as if he were taking slow, deep breaths.

He stayed like that for a few moments before spinning around abruptly. An audible gasp escaped his lips and he jumped to his feet as if he were stung by something. There was a long moment of silence.

The woman’s face lit up with alluring smile. Nivaan was standing with his back facing towards me. So, I couldn’t see his expression. I held my breath as a strange queasy feeling developed in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t take the suspense anymore and called out to him, “Nivaan?”

He walked towards the woman as if he hadn’t heard me. His steps were slow; almost as if he was in a trance. He lifted his hand and the back of his hand brushed across her face. “Valence….” The name rolled out of his tongue with such reverence that it hit me hard.

“Yes me…”

I sat there like a statue as Valence pulled him into a tight hug. One word and all my dreams were shattered like a fragile piece of glass.